The Art of Political Murder
| The Art of Political Murder | |
|---|---|
 Official poster | |
| Directed by | Paul Taylor |
| Produced by | |
| Cinematography | Tom Turley |
| Edited by | Masahiro Hirakubo |
| Music by | Yann McCullough |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | HBO |
Release date |
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Running time | 89 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Art of Political Murder is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Paul Taylor, based on the book of the same name by Francisco Goldman. It follows the murder of Juan José Gerardi Conedera, a human rights activist who was murdered after presenting a damaging report of atrocities committed during the Guatemalan Civil War. George Clooney and Grant Heslov serve as executive producers under their Smoke House Pictures banner.
It was released on December 16, 2020, by HBO.
Synopsis
[edit]The film follows the murder of Juan José Gerardi Conedera, a human rights activist who was murdered after presenting a damaging report of atrocities committed during the Guatemalan Civil War, following the investigation that took place into the murder exposing more corruption and violence.[2]
Book
[edit]Francisco Goldman, who wrote the book on which the film is based, is the child of a Guatemalan mother and spent much of his youth in the country.[3] Upon its publication in 2007, it was listed among the year’s best or notable books by publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and San Francisco Chronicle.[4] HBO Documentary Films announced it would co-produce the screen adaptation of Goldman’s book in May 2019.[5]
Production
[edit]In May 2019, it was announced HBO Documentary Films would produce and distribute the film, with Paul Taylor set to direct the film, with George Clooney and Grant Heslov set to serve as executive producers under their Smokehouse Pictures banner.[6]
Release
[edit]The film was set to have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2020, however, the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7][8] It was released on December 16, 2020.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Art of Political Murder". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ "HBO's "The Art of Political Murder," A Real-Life Political Thriller About the Investigation Into the Murder of Guatemalan Bishop Juan Gerardi, Debuts December 16". The Futon Critic. November 23, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Curiel, Carolyn (September 30, 2007). "Murder in Guatemala". New York Times. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ The Art of Political Murder. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - ^ Ritman, Alex (May 8, 2019). "Cannes: George Clooney-Produced Doc 'Art of Political Murder' Heads to Market". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ White, Peter (May 8, 2019). "George Clooney-Produced 'The Art of Political Murder' Scores HBO Deal As Independent Takes Political Feature Doc To Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (March 3, 2020). "Tribeca Sets Feature Lineup Of Films For 2020 Fest". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Beresford, Tribly; Lewis, Hilary (March 12, 2020). "Tribeca Film Festival Postponed Amid Coronavirus Fears". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Billington, Alex (November 24, 2020). "An Investigation of the Truth in 'The Art of Political Murder' Doc Trailer". First Showing. Retrieved December 3, 2020.